fishing for people

Good morning all,
Before we dive into the reading for today I want to remind everyone about our special worship and mini-retreat at Mendon Ponds. Most people will still meet at Laurelton at 10 to carpool down, but the service will begin at 1045 at the Cobblestone House in Mendon Ponds Park. After worship we'll share a delicious lunch prepared by the Natural Church Development team and a presentation from Nancy Leport about different styles of spirituality. We'll have a chance to learn about our own style and to discuss that in small groups. There will also be plenty of time for games and enjoying the beautiful park. There's space for us inside if the weather doesn't cooperate too, so don't worry if it's not beautiful tomorrow. This will be a really fun Sunday and a great chance to learn about how we best connect to God.

Speaking of connecting to God, today we see Jesus call the first disciples to follow him. I love the image of people being so excited about hearing the word of God that Jesus has to get in a boat to keep from getting crushed. After the teaching Jesus has the disciples put in their nets. Notice that Jesus doesn't put down the nets for Peter, he just shows the way. Peter's response to the amazing catch is humility. He can tell that Jesus is full of God and he knows enough about himself to know that he's not worthy to stand in Jesus' presence. The amazing thing is that unworthy as Peter is, unworthy as we are, Jesus loves us and wants to be with us. Jesus calls us to fish for people and to follow him, and that's exactly what the disciples do, leaving everything behind on the spot. May God give us a measure of that faith as well.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 5:1-11
1Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.